Jumby Bay Island is a private island about two miles off the coast of Antigua — car-free, boat-access-only, and built around a single resort plus a small number of private residences and villas. It’s less widely known than St Barts or Anguilla, which is part of the appeal: this is one of the more genuinely private corners of the Caribbean’s ultra-luxury market.
Here’s what the island actually is, how you get there, and what staying there is like.
Where Jumby Bay Island is and how to get there
Jumby Bay Island sits roughly two miles off Antigua’s coast. Getting there starts at V.C. Bird International Airport, where arriving guests are met and taken to the island’s dock — typically under five minutes away — for a short private boat crossing, usually around seven minutes, to the island itself.
Once on the island, there are no cars. Guests get around by bicycle or golf cart, which is part of what keeps the place quiet.
A brief history of Jumby Bay Island
The island has a longer history than its resort-era reputation suggests. Amerindian craftspeople worked flint deposits at what’s now called Flinty Bay as far back as roughly 3100 BC, trading tools across the region. Centuries later, during Antigua’s plantation era, parts of the island were used for grazing sheep — which is where Pasture Bay gets its name.
The modern resort took shape in the 1960s, when Sir Roland Franklin set out to build a private island destination that paired luxury with conservation rather than treating them as opposites. The Jumby Bay Island Club, which formalized the shared community of homeowners and resort guests, was established in 1983.
What it’s actually like to stay on Jumby Bay Island
Guests share access to the island’s resort infrastructure regardless of which property they’re staying in: three pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, a spa and wellness pavilion, and a watersports center offering sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. Dining spans a handful of venues around the island, from casual beachfront bars to more formal rooms in the Estate House, and the island runs its own small organic farm that supplies some of the produce used in its kitchens.
The island also runs an active conservation program, including protection for nesting sea turtles and the coral reefs around it — worth knowing if low-impact, quieter tourism matters to how you travel.
Private residences and villas on Jumby Bay Island
Alongside the resort’s own suites, a number of private residences and villas on Jumby Bay Island are available to rent directly. These range from smaller villas without full staff to larger private estates that include a private chef, butler, and housekeeper in the rate — so the right property depends heavily on group size and how much service you want built in. See the current Jumby Bay Island villas available to rent →
For the wider island context, see our Antigua travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Jumby Bay Island?
Fly into V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua, where you’re met and taken to the island’s private dock, followed by a short boat crossing — typically around seven minutes — to Jumby Bay Island itself.
Are there cars on Jumby Bay Island?
No. The island is car-free; guests get around by bicycle or golf cart.
Who developed Jumby Bay Island?
Sir Roland Franklin developed the island into a private resort destination starting in the 1960s. The Jumby Bay Island Club, which formalized its community of homeowners and resort guests, was established in 1983.
Can you rent a private villa on Jumby Bay Island?
Yes. Alongside the main resort, a number of private residences and villas on the island are available to rent directly, ranging from smaller villas to larger staffed estates with a private chef, butler, and housekeeper included.
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